Boeing announced Monday that it has delivered the 500th Combat Track II airborne intelligence kit to the Air Force. These systems give aircrews on B-1B and B-52H bombers and C-130 and C-17 transports enhanced situational awareness and allow for faster, secure information sharing among these aircraft and ground command centers. “These systems allow aircrews to respond to threats more quickly and effectively,” said Capt. Scott Frank, USAF’s Combat Track program manager.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.